Buying in Japan?

traveler_101 · Mar 21, 2010

Has anyone purchased photographic equipment in Tokyo? I have a friend traveling there next week and am thinking of asking him to pick up a Panasonic 7-14mm lens for me. I understand they are cheaper in Japan, or that's my impression. Of course I don't want this to be an onerous task for him. Is there an accessible shop, perhaps at the airport, where the lens could be had? Any information welcomed.

Thanks, Mark

Willy Leung · Mar 21, 2010

That was my impression also. I was there about 3 weeks ago, but the 7-14mm was about 10,000yen. At today's exchange rate, it would be about US$110.

I went to both Bic Camera and Yodobashi. Sakuraya just went out of business when I was there. The smaller shops that I checked did not have the lens in stock.

You can ask them to process your order as duty free, and will save you 5%. They will need to see your passport and staple the receipt in it.

ulfie · Mar 21, 2010

Are you sure about those numbers? Here in the US this lens goes for about $1010.

sandiway · Mar 21, 2010

10,000 yen is not correct at all.

See the listing

http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/product/100000001001105171/index.html

for LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm / F4.0 ASPH.

Special price ￥99,960, minus 10% back in points, i.e. subtract ￥9,996, assuming you immediately buy something else.

Sandiway

Andy Crowe · Mar 21, 2010

I was recently over in Japan and bought the 20mm f1.7, the RRP was pretty much the same as in the UK but if you're on a tourist visa then you can buy stuff tax free at most of the large electronic / photography shops which made it a little cheaper.

The photography stores in Japan are great, full of stuff you can play with hands on.

Aleo Veuliah · Mar 21, 2010

Andy Crowe said:
I was recently over in Japan and bought the 20mm f1.7, the RRP was pretty much the same as in the UK but if you're on a tourist visa then you can buy stuff tax free at most of the large electronic / photography shops which made it a little cheaper.

The photography stores in Japan are great, full of stuff you can play with hands on.

Correct, a friend told me that it is like you say

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

http://aleo-photo.org

http://blog.aleo-photo.org

traveler_101 · Mar 21, 2010

Thanks guys for all the help and the info. especially the tip on the entertaining and amazing Japanese camera shops! I want to go there--just to experience that! As far as having my friend buy the 7-14mm pany for me in Japan, it really doesn't pay. 99,000 Japanese = 1,094 American or about the same price as the lens sells in the USA. I can buy it in the states when I travel there in a couple months.

Best, Mark

Willy Leung · Mar 21, 2010

Willy Leung said:
That was my impression also. I was there about 3 weeks ago, but the 7-14mm was about 10,000yen. At today's exchange rate, it would be about US$110.

I went to both Bic Camera and Yodobashi. Sakuraya just went out of business when I was there. The smaller shops that I checked did not have the lens in stock.

You can ask them to process your order as duty free, and will save you 5%. They will need to see your passport and staple the receipt in it.

Apologies, missed a zero in both cases.
100,000yen, and US$1100.

Willy Leung · Mar 21, 2010

sandiway said:
Special price ￥99,960, minus 10% back in points, i.e. subtract ￥9,996, assuming you immediately buy something else.

Sandiway

The salesperson told me that the points can only be used on the next day, not on the same day. Not sure if it's accurate.

mihama01 · Mar 21, 2010

You can use the points on the same day, in fact for the same purchase if you ask to pay for the items separately.

You can also find cheaper pricing without the points hassle at some smaller shops Fujiya Camera and Map camera for example.

But micros 4/3rds is very popular here and prices of the Olympus P... especially are still high.

But do go to play around with the cameras in Yodabashi or Bic Camera even if you don't purchase anything....,

sandiway · Mar 21, 2010

mihama01 said:
You can use the points on the same day, in fact for the same purchase if you ask to pay for the items separately.

Yup. That's how I bought my E-P1 and accessories at Yodobashi.

But there seem to be no camera bargains in Japan. After hunting around the old camera shops in Tokyo for lenses, even for obscure stuff, they seem to more or less know the correct pricing for everything.

Sandiway

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Buying in Japan?

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